Honoring our Heroes

Being the week of homecoming in our community, the elementary school encouraged students to dress up as their favorite superhero. So, off went my children on that particular morning as spider-girl and Kylo Ren (a bad guy from Star Wars; not exactly a “hero”, but he wears a cool mask!). As I dropped them off for the start of school, it seemed like the Justice League, Marvel Universe, and Sky High had descended upon our little town! All of the masks and capes caused me to think of the great heroes of our culture, those we honor for their courage and strength even in the face of overwhelming opposition. We have all been reminded in the past few weeks of the honor due those who don a police badge so that our communities might be safe. The families of first responders should be admired for the sacrifices they make as their spouses, parents, children, and siblings place their lives on the front lines of danger. Unquestionably, our military are worthy of remembrance in time of war or peace. However, I was reminded of a hero that perhaps is unknown to most.

William Borden, born in 1887, was heir to one of the wealthiest estates in his lifetime. The Borden Dairy empire secured not only his certain success, but also the absence of any privation throughout his life. Yet, his mother was a committed follower of Jesus Christ and determined to pass that faith along to her children. At a young age, William surrendered his life to Christ and grew in his faith. Upon his graduation from high school, he was gifted a tour of the world. He traveled alongside a friend and missionary. The sights that he would take in burned an insatiable desire to proclaim the hope of the gospel with millions. He wrote to his mother, “When I look ahead a few years, it seems as though the only thing to do is prepare for the foreign field…"

He would enter Yale University to receive an education that would certainly prepare him to manage his vast wealth. Yet, having already decided to follow Christ’s call upon his life to missions, Borden wrote in his journal the simple phrase “No Reserves.” While at Yale, Borden committed himself along with others to meet regularly for prayer and Bible study. While few in number, God empowered their devotion so that by the time of his graduation 1,000 of the 1,300 students at the theologically liberal university were attending weekly Bible study. He was instrumental in starting the Yale Hope Mission, charged with ministering to the needs of the poor and offering to them the transforming power of Jesus Christ. With his father having passed, he and his brothers were now heir to unimaginable wealth. Yet, upon his graduation he remained devoted to his call to missions. At that time, he wrote in his journal the words, “No Retreats.”

He then entered Princeton Seminary in order to properly prepare for a life of ministry. His devotion to God’s Word was quite rare in his day, even among those considered religious. He believed all of the Bible to be inerrant and infallible, much to the consternation of his contemporaries. In a letter Borden wrote: "… a broad spirit of tolerance is insisted upon, especially in matters of religion, and any and all are branded as narrow who dare think otherwise. That word "narrow" is one of Satan's deadliest weapons, it seems to me; for most people would apparently rather be shot than be called narrow…" Yet, upon his graduation from seminary, Borden set upon a course for language and cultural studies in working with the Muslims of China. After studying for just three months in Egypt at a missionary training center, Borden contracted spinal meningitis and was dead at the age of 25. The newspaper headlines of his day lamented what seemed the useless waste of his life. With William's striking good looks, wealth, attractive personality, sharp mind, and natural leadership qualities, he could have married whomever he wanted, succeeded at whatever he attempted, and possessed everything he desired. Yet, upon his death, a final note was found written in his journal with the words, “No Regrets.”

Also found in one of his journals was an explanation for Borden’s devotion to Christ, even at the risk of losing so much. “In every man's heart there is a throne and a cross… If Christ is on the throne self is on the cross… If Jesus is on the throne you will go where He wants you to go…” Shortly following his death, the family with whom Borden had lived in his final months in Egypt spoke of the source of his faith. In a letter written to the Borden family, they documented:

It is beyond power to describe his great zeal and diligence in studying the difficult Arabic language. But though he was so absorbed, so fond, so overwhelmed with his studies, he did not make Arabic his only aim. He looked to what was higher and nobler and appointed a large portion of his time for reading the sacred Scriptures. His Bibles – and he had many of them – were all visited by his eyes. There were many remarks on their margins made in his handwriting and many underlined texts, which showed that he had chosen them and probably put them into memory. His reading the Scriptures was not a daily duty. He read them because he loved them.

Perhaps there is no greater indicator of the godliness or lack thereof in our culture than to understand it heroes. By inspiration, David noted this when he recorded, “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?...[He] who honors those who fear the LORD” (Psalm 15:1, 4). Of those who deserve honor, certainly men and women like Borden are worthy. May we seek to emulate those lives that have been spent for the cause of Christ, until one day, we all lay down our crowns at the feet of Jesus.

No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets,

Jason